title: [Airtraq optical laryngoscope: clinical assessment of its performance in 100 children].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the suitability of Airtraq optical laryngoscope for the tracheal intubation in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Endotracheal intubation was performed using the Airtraq optical laryngoscope in 100 pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia. The time to complete tracheal intubation and optimizing procedures were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Airtraq optical laryngoscope allowed visualization of the glottis and successful intubation in the 100 patients, including three patients with difficult airway. Utilization of a gum elastic bougie was helpful to introduce a tube tip to the trachea.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Airtraq optical laryngoscope might be an alternative apparatus for endotracheal intubation in pediatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498.
authors.forename: Nobuhiro
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shimada
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirabayashi
authors.forename: Naoyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taga
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.forename: Norimasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Seo
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D008297:Male